Kate Rhoades: Calfskin

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Kate Rhoades: Calfskin Still, 2018

CALFSKINNew Works by Kate Rhoades

October 27t​h ​– December 1s​t​, 2018

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 27t​h​, 6–9pm

Calfskin​ is a show of new experimental works by Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist, Kate Rhoades. The exhibition takes its inspiration from the gallery Telematic’s location, which once housed Stompers Boots, a staple of the SOMA​ ​leather community.

Responding to this history, Rhoades has built pleather video-sculptures, which take viewers on a fantastical trip through the 17,000 years of humanity’s sometimes mystical and sometimes brutal relationship with cattle. One of the videos includes a titillating rendition of the Ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur – played by celebrated actor and Taurus, Kevin Clarke.

Informed by both gay culture and bovine symbolism, Rhoades queers the species divide and reflects on the history of subjugation and abjection that animals, queer humans, and human-animal hybrids have shared.